Minneapolis passes stronger ICE noncooperation ordinance, codifying staging ban and adding MPD reporting
The Minneapolis City Council voted to strengthen the city’s 2003 separation ordinance, formally codifying Mayor Frey’s executive order banning ICE from staging on city-owned lots, ramps and garages and adding requirements that the MPD publicly report to the mayor, council and public any collaboration with federal authorities (with stated exemptions), while saying working alongside masked or unidentified agents without clear agency identification is contrary to city values and public safety. The measure — passed as ICE activity and arrests in Minnesota have increased (the Trump administration sent about 100 federal agents) — also included a $40,000 boost for the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota and comes amid suburban clarifications that local police do not enforce federal immigration law.
📌 Key Facts
- The Minneapolis City Council approved a strengthened 2003 separation/'sanctuary' ordinance declaring the city will 'vigorously oppose' use of city resources for immigration enforcement.
- The ordinance formally codifies Mayor Jacob Frey’s executive order banning ICE from staging operations on city-owned lots, ramps and garages.
- The ordinance requires the Minneapolis Police Department to produce public reports to the mayor, city council and the public when collaborating with federal authorities on criminal investigations (with stated exemptions).
- The ordinance states that working alongside masked or unidentified agents who lack clear agency identification is contrary to city values and public safety.
- Council also approved an additional $40,000 for the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota to support legal services for immigrants in Minneapolis.
- Supporters framed the move as reflecting 'city values' amid recent increases in ICE activity and arrests, and reports that the Trump administration sent about 100 federal agents to Minnesota for immigration enforcement operations.
- Suburban cities — Edina, Bloomington, Burnsville and Golden Valley — issued statements clarifying they do not enforce federal immigration law, are not notified in advance of federal operations, and advise residents to call 911 regardless of immigration status; Burnsville acknowledged recent ICE activity captured on a Ring doorbell camera.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2022, federal prosecutors charged 47 people, primarily Somali immigrants, with stealing $250 million from federal child nutrition programs in Minnesota during the pandemic.
How Fraud Swamped Minnesota’s Social Services System on Tim Walz’s Watch — The New York Times
Federal counterterrorism sources confirm that millions of dollars in stolen funds from Minnesota welfare fraud have been sent to Somalia, where they ultimately landed with the terrorist group Al-Shabaab.
Minnesota Welfare Fraud: Some Funds Went to Al-Shabaab — City Journal
59.4% of Somali Minnesotans aged 25 and older have a high school diploma or higher, compared to approximately 93% for all Minnesotans.
Somali population - Cultural communities — Minnesota Compass
📰 Sources (4)
- The Minneapolis City Council approved the strengthened 'sanctuary' ordinance.
- Supporters framed the move as reflecting 'city values' amid recent increases in ICE activity and arrests.
- The ordinance formally codifies limits on ICE staging on city property and adds reporting requirements for any MPD collaboration with federal authorities.
- Council vote set for Thursday at 9:30 a.m. to strengthen Minneapolis’ 2003 separation ordinance.
- Ordinance declares the city will 'vigorously oppose' use of city resources for immigration enforcement.
- Codifies Mayor Frey’s executive order barring ICE from staging operations on city-owned lots, ramps, and garages.
- Requires MPD to produce public reports to the mayor, council, and public when collaborating with federal authorities on criminal investigations (with stated exemptions).
- States that working alongside masked or unidentified agents lacking clear agency identification is contrary to city values and public safety.
- Council also approved an additional $40,000 for the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota to support legal services for immigrants in Minneapolis.
- FOX 9 reports the Trump administration sent about 100 federal agents to Minnesota for immigration enforcement operations.
- Edina, Bloomington, Burnsville and Golden Valley issued public statements clarifying they do not enforce federal immigration law, are not notified in advance of federal operations, and advise residents to call 911 regardless of immigration status.
- Burnsville acknowledged recent ICE activity captured on a Ring doorbell camera and reiterated local police do not participate in federal immigration enforcement.